Frequently Asked Questions

Siblings and other children regardless of age may visit, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times for safety purposes. In an attempt to protect your child, as well as those of other parents, and prevent the spread of communicable disease and infections, visiting children must be healthy and be up to date on all immunizations.

Our patients are dressed daily as part of their rehabilitation process. The nurses and therapists will advise you on the types of clothing that will work best for your child based on his or her specific medical needs, but in general, please bring the following:

• Pajamas
• Shoes
• Socks/underwear
• Coat, jacket, or sweatshirt (as seasonally appropriate)
• Deodorant, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb

Note: Families will also need to provide a copy of your child’s immunization records.

Items that will help your child feel like they’re at home (a special pillow or blanket, stuffed animals, toys, books, family photos, favorite movie or music, headphones, etc.)

We try to provide as much normalcy and quality of life for patients and families as possible during their stay. Our home-like environment has many places for family members to relax alone or with their loved one.

Vending machines, coffee, and a refrigerator for food storage are available 24 hours a day. Additionally, a microwave oven and toaster are available for use in the dining room. Patient food is provided by the hospital, and parent trays may be purchased for a nominal fee. Social Services may be able to assist with other accommodations needed for parents who come from a distance. Complimentary Wi-Fi services are also available.

All rooms are private with beautiful murals painted on the walls. Each room has shelves and a closet for clothes and other personal items. A cork board is provided for family photos, pictures, and notes. You are welcome to bring items that may provide comfort to your child such as a favorite toy, blanket, movie, or music. Rooms also have satellite televisions and DVD players.

The exact length of stay is different for each child and is based upon your child’s individual medical needs. A team of healthcare professionals will meet weekly to discuss your child’s progress towards discharge goals. Parents are invited to participate in these meetings and will be given everything they need for a safe transition to home.

The medical treatment plan for your child is led by a physician who works closely with the nursing, therapy, and allied health team to provide care for your child. The hospital is staffed 24 hours a day with registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), respiratory therapists (RTs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These staff members will provide direct care to your child based upon his or her medical needs.

In addition, your child may receive physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathologist (SLP) services. Other professionals who will see your child during his or her stay include a recreational therapist, registered dietitian, case manager, and social worker.

Children are evaluated by physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathologist (SLP) within 24-48 hours of admission. The therapy schedule will be determined by each child’s individual medical needs and level of care. Recreation therapy is also a part of every patient’s treatment plan.

Members of our medical team are in the hospital daily to check on each child. Families are encouraged to talk with their child’s physician if they have any questions. Families may approach any staff member with questions – we have an open-door policy and someone is available to assist at any time.

Our hospital personnel work closely with local school districts to provide an onsite teacher to assist in meeting each child’s educational needs. Social Services will help coordinate this with family members and the child’s school to help assure the child keeps up with their school work as much as they are able to do so.

We provide a vast array of games and movies, which are available to families. In addition, our volunteers may provide pet therapy, outdoor walks, music activities, and other activities.

Nexus’ outpatient services provide families with a continuum of care. Your child’s lead physician – along with the nursing, therapy, and allied health team – will determine the timing and length of a session. We encourage parents to discuss the child’s goals for the sessions and for home with the health team. Punctual attendance is appreciated to maximize the session and to keep our hospital’s outpatient treatment schedule running on time.

A case manager or social worker meets with each family to discuss community services and resources that may be available for the child after their discharge from the hospital. A discharge plan for each child is developed during his or her stay at the hospital and may include follow up physician and therapy appointments, coordination of medical equipment, the ordering of medications and coordination of training for the family. Therapeutic outings may also be facilitated as part of the discharge plan.

Family education is an important element of our care. The hospital provides extensive training to parents, family members, or friends who will be responsible for the ongoing care of the child once they transition to home. The type of training is based on the child’s individual medical needs. Parents are trained to aid in fully developing the skills needed to independently care for the child in the home setting. Each parent must stay with the child at the hospital for twenty-four hours after training.

We participate as a provider with most major managed care organizations. Depending on the payor source, co-pays or additional payments may be required by the family. Before a child is admitted, benefits are checked and responsible parties are notified of financial responsibilities. Case Management or Social Services can assist families with other resources that may be available to help with financial needs.

The hospital provides hospital gowns, however, patients may bring comfortable button down or zippered clothing and non-skid slippers or tennis shoes.

Note: The hospital does not provide laundry services for personal clothing.

The hospital has a cafeteria that provides lunch daily Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, vending machines and coffee are available 24 hours a day.

The hospital has private and semi-private rooms. Each room provides a private bath, satellite television, and has large windows.

Nexus Specialty Hospital provides wireless access to the Internet in patient rooms and hospital common areas.

The medical treatment plan for each patient is led by a physician. The physician works closely with the nursing, therapy, and allied health team at Nexus Specialty Hospital to provide care for our patients. The hospital is staffed 24 hours a day with registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), respiratory therapists (RTs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). In addition, patients may receive physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech-language therapists (SLP), and wound care services. Other professionals that will work with patients during a stay include a registered dietitian, case manager, and social worker. Additionally, the hospital provides onsite pharmacy and radiology services.

The ability of a patient to tolerate therapy is determined by the hospital medical and therapy team. Therapy schedules are determined by each patient’s individual medical needs and his or her ability to tolerate therapy.

Our Case Management team will work with the patient and family to discuss community services and resources that may be available to assist the patient and family.

All off-campus passes must be pre-approved by the treatment team. The provision for passes depends on a number of factors that include patient stability, payor policies, length of stay expectations, and physician approval.

Note: All passes should be therapeutic in nature and you may be given goals to work on in the community or your home during this time.

Our residential homes are for residents only. Privacy laws and Texas Assisted Living Standards prevent us from allowing family members to stay overnight. However, several local hotels offer discounted room rates. Please inquire with the Admissions Department or a member of the treatment team.

Private and semi-private rooms are available, and there is no difference in the cost of either option. Availability varies by house and occupancy and is based on clinical and medical needs. Please discuss any requests for a private or semi-private room with the Admissions Department or Residential Director.

• Legal documents (Guardianship papers, Power of Attorney, Advanced Directives, Drivers’ License, State I.D., Social Security Card, Government I.D.; please bring a copy of your birth certificate if I.D. and Social Security Card are not available)
• Insurance information, including all insurance cards, Medicare cards, and Medicaid papers
• Names and phone numbers of contact persons you want in your records
• A list of current treating physicians, their phone numbers and information
• Appointments which are already scheduled
• All current medications in original containers/packaging
• Credit card information for pharmacy, or cash deposit of $50 -$100
• Financial deposit for hygiene, outings, co-pays, etc.

• Casual, comfortable, weather appropriate clothing (at least one week’s supply is recommended; laundry facilities are on site)
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hairbrush, comb, deodorant, make up, razors, etc.)
  Small electronic devices (small radio, alarm clock, hair dryer, etc.)
• We provide towels, sheets, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners, however, patients may bring their own bedding and decorative items from home to personalize their space
• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, canes, braces, splints, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, etc.)

Note: We recommend that you label your clothes and possessions prior to admission. Nexus Neurorecovery Center is not responsible for any items that are lost or stolen.

• Personal computers (if residents plan to bring a cell phone, please password protect it)
• ATM cards
• Pets
• TV, DVD, large electronic/audio equipment
• Expensive or sentimental items of clothing or jewelry
• Sharp objects
• Weapons
• Drugs or any drug paraphernalia
• Alcohol

Note: The Residential Administrator maintains and monitors any tobacco products brought to Nexus Neurorecovery Center.

As part of their treatment program, residents may go on community outings and need money for admission, personal items, medication copays, etc. Residents may keep their ATM card and/or cash on their person if they are able to independently manage their finances.

For those individuals who need assistance with money management, we have a patient trust account that is handled by the Executive Administrative Assistant in the Administration building. A separate account is kept for each resident. This information can be made available to patients, family members, and guardians.

It is difficult to predict any resident’s length of stay as everyone is an individual. For this reason, lengths of stay vary from several weeks to life care treatment.

First and foremost, the team is made up of the patient and his or her family/support system. Additionally, the medical team is led by a Physician, and additional team members include: Nursing, Residential Administrator, House Coordinator, Case Manager, neuropsychologist, psychologist, licensed Therapists (Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, and Recreational Therapist), licensed Counselors (Psychotherapy and Drug/Alcohol Counseling), Cognitive Therapists, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Direct Care Workers.

The goal of post-acute rehabilitation is to increase the individual’s ability to function as independently as possible in order to decrease the burden of care on the caregiver. While the formal therapy plan will likely continue in this setting, advanced skills become the focus. The ways in which our post-acute care is different include:

• Resident is learning to adjust to living with a brain injury through education and counseling
• Resident goes through actual “trials” in real world activities
• Resident lives in a home-like environment
• Resident practices home management like cooking and laundry
• Resident receives medication education
• Resident is exposed to community settings
• Resident returns to work opportunities
• Resident participates in behavioral management/coping strategies
• Resident receives pre-driving training
• Resident learns new, compensatory approaches for self-care and improved cognitive function
• Resident receives discharge planning and recommendations

The average day for a resident consists of a highly-structured schedule of therapeutic, recreational, and social activities. We provide physical, occupational, speech, cognitive, and vocational therapy during the day.

Additionally, the treatment team focuses on teaching skills to achieve maximum independence. We provide supervised community outings that include functional rehabilitation and recreational therapy, along with fun outings, such as trips to local events, entertainment venues, and shopping. Individuals with neurological disabilities benefit from programs that offer multiple opportunities for learning, practice, and focus on pragmatic and functional skills.

The Case Manager is the primary source of clinical information and on admission will schedule a routine avenue of communication. You are also welcome to call them at any time. Meetings with the entire treatment team may be scheduled. However, the patient or family may request a Family Conference at any time.